Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:54 pm
#1717084
(hopefully we can keep this non-political and keep to the topic, not the cause of the topic)
Various discussions about stockpiling in case of disruption to supply chains, have got me thinking about whether I should rationally consider stockpiling anything. But it's difficult to know what relies upon international supply chains, and hence to make any sort of rational decision. Also some supply chains might be disrupted by panic buying rather than real disruption.
Thinking through the sort of things that could potentially have an impact on day-to-day quality of life:
1) Food - we don't have a fancy diet. Half our friends farm, I'm sure we'll continue to eat. We might have a more basic choice of fruit and salad for a while. Perhaps stock-up a little on things like olive oil, tea/coffee, tinned tomatoes, etc .... I believe we're a net importer of milk, but the thought of stockpiling UHT milk doesn't appeal as I'm not sure I'd drink it anyway.
2) Heating oil - I think we're a net exporter of heating oil so should be ok, but I'd naturally be stocking up ahead of winter price rises anyway.
3) Car fuel - can't realistically stockpile this.
4) Medicines - difficult to work out individual supply chains, a few spare doses of regularly used stuff like ibuprofene seems prudent.
5) Clothes/shoes/etc ..... as my wife points out, much of my wardrobe is older than our marriage, so see no need there.
6) Toiletries - worst case we'd have to start using those unwanted christmas gift sets that have spent 10 years in the bathroom cabinet. Perhaps put a few tubes of toothpaste in stock.
7) Detergents/cleaning products - no idea where this stuff comes from, cheap enough to stick a few spare bottles under the sink.
From what I can tell, there isn't a lot that I can really do much about - and the biggest impact is likely to be on short shelf life stuff that I can't stockpile anyway. Or am I missing a trick?
Various discussions about stockpiling in case of disruption to supply chains, have got me thinking about whether I should rationally consider stockpiling anything. But it's difficult to know what relies upon international supply chains, and hence to make any sort of rational decision. Also some supply chains might be disrupted by panic buying rather than real disruption.
Thinking through the sort of things that could potentially have an impact on day-to-day quality of life:
1) Food - we don't have a fancy diet. Half our friends farm, I'm sure we'll continue to eat. We might have a more basic choice of fruit and salad for a while. Perhaps stock-up a little on things like olive oil, tea/coffee, tinned tomatoes, etc .... I believe we're a net importer of milk, but the thought of stockpiling UHT milk doesn't appeal as I'm not sure I'd drink it anyway.
2) Heating oil - I think we're a net exporter of heating oil so should be ok, but I'd naturally be stocking up ahead of winter price rises anyway.
3) Car fuel - can't realistically stockpile this.
4) Medicines - difficult to work out individual supply chains, a few spare doses of regularly used stuff like ibuprofene seems prudent.
5) Clothes/shoes/etc ..... as my wife points out, much of my wardrobe is older than our marriage, so see no need there.
6) Toiletries - worst case we'd have to start using those unwanted christmas gift sets that have spent 10 years in the bathroom cabinet. Perhaps put a few tubes of toothpaste in stock.
7) Detergents/cleaning products - no idea where this stuff comes from, cheap enough to stick a few spare bottles under the sink.
From what I can tell, there isn't a lot that I can really do much about - and the biggest impact is likely to be on short shelf life stuff that I can't stockpile anyway. Or am I missing a trick?